Minnesota

• 2 years with Discovery Rule. (Minn. Stat. §541.07 – Two- or three-year limitations)
• Medical malpractice - 2 years with Discovery Rule. (Minn. Stat. §541.07 – Two- or three-year limitations)

• None.

• 3 years after death and 6 years after act or omission causing death. (Minn. Stat. §573.02 – Action for death by wrongful act; survival of actions)

• None.

• Minnesota Department of Health
• Nursing Home Selection
• Adult Protective Services Unit
• Board on Aging
• Department of Human Services Licensing
• Long Term Care Ombudsman

• Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults – (Minn. Stat. §626.557)
• Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Review Panel – (Minn. Stat. §§256.02, 626.5571)
• Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults – (Minn. Stat. §609.232)

• 'Significant Medication Errors' Discovered In Nursing Home Following Investigation Related To Patient Injury & Death

Following a medication-error related death and other medication-related problems that resulted in patient injuries, Minnesota Department of Heath investigators concluded that Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, MN was guilty of neglect and other federally mandated nursing home standards.

The 'major medication errors' occurred within 16 days of one another.  According to the State's investigative report:

• Girls Gone Wild In Minnesota Nursing Home

I came across this article regarding the abuse ofAlzheimer's patients at a Minnesota Nursing Home --the extent of mistreatment makes me sick.  According to a Minnesota Department of Public Health report, 15 residents of the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home fell victim to ongoing physical and psychological abuse of 4 teenage nursing assistants.  Since the results of the investigation have been disclosed, the employees have been terminated.

The employees were terminated party due to cooperation of a 5th teenage girl implicated in the investigation.  According to the teenage girl, the foursome victimized residents suffer from dementia or related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The report alleges the following incidents of physical abuse and neglect:

• Dehydration Leads To Lawsuit Against Minnesota Nursing Home

Just 20 days after entering the Golden Living Center, 71-year-old Dean Cole lost 20 pounds due to malnutrition and dehydration.  According to Mark Wandersee of the Eldercare Rights Alliance, the nursing home staff is to blame for his rapid deterioration. "He wasn't getting the care he needed for food and water," said Wandersee.

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the nursing home alleging Cole's dehydration caused kidney failure and brain damage and ultimately his death.

• Food Poisoning Lawsuit Filed Against Peanut Butter Manufacturer Following Death Of Minnesota Nursing Home Resident

Peanut butter tainted with salmonella has claimed the life of a 72-year-old resident at a Minnesota Nursing Home.  Consequently, the family of Shirley Mae Almer, have filed a food poisoning lawsuit against the manufacturer and distributer of the peanut butter in Hennepin District County in Minneapolis for her death.

The lawsuit names Peanut Corporation of America and King Nut Companies as the defendants in the matter.  Peanut Corporation manufactured the contaminated peanut butter over the past six months and King Nut distributed the peanut butter to institutions--including Almer's nursing home.

• Nursing Home Cited For Mistreatment Of Resident Following Investigation Of Resident's Fractured Neck

The Minnesota Department of Health released an investigative report concluding a resident ofPresbyterian Homes of Arden Hills Nursing Homesustained a broken neck due to a fall or other trauma at the facility.  The investigation follows the death of 91-year-old Gladys Gall, a resident at the facility.  Despite the fact no federal or state nursing home violations were identified, investigators still determined there was ample circumstantial evidence to conclude the nursing home was at fault in the injury and subsequent death of Gall. 

On April 18, 2008 Gall was admitted to an emergency room after complaining of head and neck pain.  A CT scan confirmed Gall's pain was related to a cervical fracture. On April 28th, Gall died from complications related to the cervical fracture.